Process and control design of high-temperature solar receivers: An integrated approach

Process dynamics of high-temperature solar receivers exhibit quite peculiar interactions with basic design parameters. The difficult task of controlling receiver temperatures when clouds pass over the mirror field calls for control systems whose sophistication and cost are significantly affected by the process dynamics, in particular by the possible presence of a nonminimum-phase function in the principal control loop. This paper illustrates an integrated approach to the process and control design, based on the identification of the principal relationships between free design parameters and process dynamics and on the concept of a new temperature controller applying predictive feedback of a suitable set of fluid temperatures. Special reference is made to the design of a real solar pilot plant equipped with a sodium-cooled solar receiver.